Where to Stay in Zurich (First Time)?

Zurich is a unique tourist destination in Europe. The capital of Switzerland is a complete
destination for sports enthusiasts, art lovers, animal devotees and nature votaries. Zurich has something for
each tourist regardless of their interests. Plenty of accommodation is located in the main tourist area
as well as in other less touristic districts.

Don’t know Where to stay in Zurich ? Read on below for best neighbourhoods for a ‘first time’ visit.

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Last updated on February 16th, 2020

Zurich in Switzerland downtown view

The city is filled with numerous art museums, fantastic sightseeing areas and enjoyable activities like hiking on Uetliberg Mountain. Hiking on Uetliberg Mountain will take you half to full day depending on the activities you engage in while climbing.

From the peak of the mountain, you will be able to see the whole of Zurich from the foot of the mountain to the horizon where the capital stretches. If you love water, Zurich has many water bodies, and you can visit many neighborhoods through water transport.

Because Zurich is a hub of fun and knowledge, you should consider staying for an extended duration. By extending your stay, you expose yourself to the possibility of discovering more neighbourhoods in Switzerland’s capital.

For every budget, Zurich will take care of you with the best hotels, budget hostels, mid range hotels and Zurich bed and breakfasts. If you have a family, do not leave them behind because the prices for accommodation some of our districts are ample and affordable. Besides, there are numerous family activities to do as a family in Zurich. Do not be surprised if you extend your stay in Switzerland’s capital; this place is a center of fun and peace of mind.

For some people, touring is never satisfied until they enjoy a nightlife; cool or wild per the taste of the individual. District 4 of Zurich wakes up when the rest of the world goes to sleep opening doors to all who like to maximize every fun moment. From this district, there more bars and hotels than the people can ever fill and the area sleeps after everyone gets their dose of nightlife. For you to remember your visit to Switzerland, you must buy a souvenir.

Bahnhofstrasse is the best shopping destination, and surrounded by plenty of hotels, in Zurich where you can get enough varieties from expensive ornaments to knickknacks.

What’s the best area to experience the city as a local or when visiting the first time, what’s the best district for shopping or nightlife, when travelling with the family or where to stay on a budget ? Read on below to find out more best neighbourhoods to stay in Zürich Switzerland.

Quick Overview – Contents

What is the Best Area to Stay in Zurich
Best Area for First Time Visit
Best District for Nightlife
Best Neighbourhood for Families
Best Neighborhood for a Week or Longer (Extended Stay)
Best Area to Stay for Shopping
Where to Stay in Zurich on a Budget
5 Best Neighourhoods to Stay for Tourists

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What is the Best Area to Stay in Zurich Switzerland?

Best for First Time (Sightseeing): Altstadt (Old City) – Niederdorf

If you are new to Zurich, I recommend that you stay in the old city of Altstadt. The Altstadt neighbourhood hosts the most significant number of foot and cycling tours within the district and through the capital of Switzerland. From the tour, you get to see Zurich’s essential landmarks and the must-see tourist sites like the national museum. Take a half day and enjoy a boat ride at Lake Zurich or visit the largest waterfalls in Europe; the Rhine falls.

Where to Stay in Zurich City Centre

Best Luxury Hotels in Zurich
Baur au Lac • Hotel Storchen
Best Great Value – Top Rated Hotels
Hotel Florhof • Motel One Zürich
Best Cheap Hotels in Zurich
Hotel Hottingen • Hotel Marta
Best Bed & Breakfast
Dakini’s Bed & Breakfast • Josephine’s Guesthouse (Women Only)
Best Budget Hostels
Zurich Youth Hostel • lindas paradise hostel

Book Best Accommodation in Zurich

Best Areas to Stay in Zurich

Where to stay in Zurich for best nightlife ? Langstrasse (District 4) – Aussersihl (District 4) – Escher Wyss (Industriequartier District 5)

While you can get a fantastic nightlife in all the neighbourhoods of Zurich, District four locally referred to as Aussersihl is famous for the best nightlife. The district becomes lively after darkness descends. Aussersihl is filled with small cafes, big hotels, bars and nightclubs. The most astonishing thing about area four is that nobody cares where you come from as long as you are having fun. The partying centers are many giving you the freedom to choose.

What’s the best neighbourhood in Zurich for families ? Enge (District 2) – Wollishofen (District 2) – Zurichberg (District 7)

The first thing to book when taking your family to visit Zurich is a hotel. Enge and Zurichberg district have hotels designed primarily for families. The hotels are situated close to the bus and tram stations for those who prefer public transport. A great family activity to perform while in Wollishofen; the second district; is visiting the Kunsthaus art gallery. Other incredible tourist destinations for families include the Lake Zurich, Rieterpark, Waterfront Park, museum and the zoo.

Best neighborhood in Zurich for a week or longer (extended stay) ? Seefeld Riesbach (District 8)

Planning for an extended stay in Zurich? Don’t worry the town will take care of you. An apartment is ideal for accommodation when compared to a hotel for people staying for more than a week. District 8 (Seefeld Riesbach) has fully furnished and apartments and houses for hire. If you book early, you can get the apartments facing the lakeside. There are incredible benefits to staying in Seefeld Riesbach during your extended stay. You get to visit the Nordamerika native museum, Haus Konstruktiv art gallery, central library,
the zoological museum and local parks and gardens; to mention a few.

Best district in Zurich for shopping ? Bahnhofstrasse – Altstadt (Old City)

The climax of your tour in Zurich should end in Bahnhofstrasse; the shopping paradise. Whether you are purchasing or window shopping, the Bahnhofstrasse neighbourhood feeds your eyes with an experience like no other. In this area, shops are perfectly arranged and the displays well set for easy identification of your desired shopping experience. The small shops combine with the big shops while offering prices tailored for you. If there is anything you want to purchase, you can be sure to find it in Bahnhofstrasse.

Where to stay in Zurich on a budget ? Zurich Nord (Oerlikon – Seebach) – Unterstrass (District 6) – Oberstrass (District 6)

A tight budget should neither hinder you from visiting Zurich nor enjoying your stay in the biggest town of Switzerland. The city’s amazing neighbourhoods ; Oerlikon-Seebach, Unterstrass and Oberstrass offer affordable accommodation for everyone on a strict budget. The region is seven minutes from Zurich airport hotels. This neighbourhood is a home to the biggest duck pond in the city and people residing in other areas regularly visit this district to see this unique pond. This area is a home to Zoologisches Museum which is accessed at no charge.

The 5 Best Neighbourhoods in Zurich for Tourists, First Time Visit

1. Altstadt (Old City) – Kreis 1

Altstadt district is a metropolitan area filled with the diversity of locals and tourists. The district has a good nightlife providing the longest street of bars in Europe.

Local brews, international cocktails, fantastic hotels and multicolored
electro-clubs run the night. This locality is a destination to most young tourists visiting Zurich. The art fanatics will love this area because of the many museums including the renowned Museum Kunstpalast.

Best Accommodation: Le Bijou LQ82 Spectacular Limmatview Penthouse (Apartment)
Best Cheap Hotels / Great Value: Hotel Scheuble • Hotel Adler

2. Enge (Kreis 2)

After a long day visiting the different sites and engaging in various activities, the time comes when you need to get away from the busy town to rest and re-energize for the following day.

Enge is a locality (Kreis 2) that will give you peace and an atmosphere to relax your eyes and mind. This locality does not have many sights and therefore free from the noise of the city. If your apartment is high enough, the serenity of the lake will soothe your mind.

Best Hotel: B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa
Best Cheap Hotels / Great Value : Residence Mutschellen • Seestrasse Apartments Drei Könige

3. Bahnhofstrasse Area

This area is famous for its rich shopping experiences. The biggest world brands are found in this area where both cheap and expensive items are located. The critical quality in Bahnhofstrasse is genuineness, while some people complain about products in this area being expensive; quality is never compromised.

If you are not buying anything, do not shy off from this area, you can always window shop.

Best Accommodation: Widder Hotel
Best Cheap Hotels / Great Value: Hotel Hirschen • Hotel City Zürich Design & Lifestyle

4. Zurich Main Train Station area

Zurich’s central train station is located at the heart of the magnificent city. The station is always open including during the bank holidays. Rail transport is preferred because of its flexibility where most of the neighbourhoods and tourist destinations can be accessed through the train.

From the station you can visit the clean lake Zurich, Uetliberg, Kunsthaus’s museum of fine arts and the zoo.

Best Accommodation: Hotel Schweizerhof Zürich
Best Cheap Hotels / Great Value: Townhouse Boutique Hotel • Hotel Arlette Beim Hauptbahnhof

5. Seefeld (Kreis 8)

Seefeld district is located on the eastern side of Lake Zurich. The main tourist attraction in this district is the lake. This district is very popular with swimming and boat riding activities.

The other major attraction is Blatterwiese Park, people come to this area to hide from the busy town. Some of the activities to carry out in the park include swimming and get pleasure from some sunshine.

Best Hotel: Small Luxury Hotel Ambassador Zurich
Best Cheap/Mid-Range Hotels: Boutique Hotel NI-MO • Hotel Seehof

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